Modern Geishas in Japan — Pretty Tradition or Outdated Idea?

In Japan, being a geisha is a steeped in tradition but a fading career choice for the modern woman. Years ago, girls needed personal connections to become a geisha. But one 23-year-old named Komomo (Little Peach) looked for the job the same way many modern women job hunt — by email.

She was lured to the field for love of country. She says, "I wanted to know more about my own country and that's why I chose this world. I wanted to make Japanese history and customs a part of my daily life, not just wearing a kimono occasionally but every day and living life as they did in the old days."

Despite her high-minded reasons for becoming a geisha, she admits she's judged harshly on her appearance, and though she loves her job, she worries about the future. There are no pensions for geisha and they are not permitted to marry.

The number of geisha in Japan peaked at 80,000 in 1928, but now only 1,000 are left. Two reasons are shrinking business expense accounts zapped after the economic woes of the 1990s, and politicians who now stay away fearing scandal.

A dinner with a geisha present can cost around 80,000 yen ($785) a person, depending on the venue and number of geisha. In a nod to the modernizing world, men are now geisha, too, serving the growing number of professional women in Japan willing to fork out from $1,000 to $50,000 a night for male companionship.

Is this a tradition worth saving? Do you like the idea of modern co-ed geisha?

I have been doing some reading and research on geisha and it is a beautiful custom.There is no equivalent to the geisha in the entire world.I believe that the tradition should be preserved.I think that the geisha are the main people who keep the japanese tradition alive.Though, I also believe that the geisha need to tweak some of their rules a little bit.It needs to be more appealing to the young girl.I also think that if they are really serious about saving this tradition then they need to open it up to more people a.k.a rces.I'm pretty sure that every single geisha known to man has been asian.I think that this should be changed.If they want more people they need to open it up to more people and make it easier to apply to be geisha.You usually have to have a lot of connections to become a geisha.Quite frankly, I'm black(african-american) and I would love to become a geisha.I've been trying to find a geisha house that would accept me for 2 years now.Its probably never going to happen but because I really want it I cant help but try.They also need to give pension and allow the women to marry.

4 years

Well, I think modernized Geisha's would be beautiful as they have a true connection with the history and arts of Japan. But the actual history and tradition of a Geisha is pretty harsh with certain aspects. The not marrying does make sense if you are going with the actual traditional way. Geisha's evolved at around maybe 700 years ago or something like that, it was one of the first independent jobs for woman but original Geisha's begun their training between the age of 9 to 15. They were maiko until they were between the ages 18 and 22. To become a proper Geisha they had to sell their virginity. It was a bidding process and they made a lot of money with it, essentially selling it to the highest bidder. From what I understand it didn't actually have to be direct intercourse, but it had to be a sexual activity. It was called Mizuage and was a coming of age ceremony basically, but they had to be 'deflowered' in the process of it. After and before that sex wasn't part of the deal. Playing an instrument, chatting with the costumer, dancing, and other arts were involved and the girls were taught to be flirtatious but sex itself wasn't always part of it. They were meant to entertain and be good company. After the age of 21 you were considered to old to start Geisha training. The girls had harsh training and there was always a constant rivalry between the top Geisha in the Geisha houses. If they weren't naturally beautiful they were made to be.
Nonetheless I think it is a beautiful art and should be kept if the people performing it are voluntary. But the aspects like no marriage should be eliminated, and I also believe that after a certain amount of time as a Geisha a pension should be part of the deal. Also, little kids that are only 9 shouldn't be trained, because I'm pretty sure that falls under the category of child labour. And the Mizuage ceremony should definitely not be a part of the process any longer.
But they are highly trained and intelligent woman and I think they do represent the Japanese culture and history and the tradition should be kept, but modern limitations should be invested.

Oh, if the tradition of geisha fades totally, I will be devastated! The tradition is so rich and beautiful I would be saddened if I could never go to Japan and see a geisha! It's such a pitty so much of taditonal japanese culture is slipping away now that they are becoming more and more westernized. A even bigger pitty is that so many people think they are prostitutes so they look down on this beautiful tradition.

I think it's something that would be nice to keep, considering how much of traditional Japan seems to be slipping away. Some feminists may not like it, but the women who do become geisha obviously chose to go into the profession, so I see nothing wrong with it. Besides for their own sake, keeping geisha around helps to keep alive the arts of dance and music that they learn during their training.

Although I will never be able to afford such a luxury, I strongly believe that tradition should be preserved. The tradition of Geisha provides a beauty that is sadly lacking in the world we live in today. The main modification that is necessary is they need to be provided with benefits and security by special funds or the state.

This site has some interesting info. on Geisha and Maiko.
http://www.immortalgeisha.com/faq_geisha.php
and on furisode-san (some women who mimic the look of maiko) ?
http://www.furisodesan.com/index.html
I found both interesting so I thought I'd share.

Geishas are NOT prostitutes! They have been traditional been entertainers, they are trained in classical dance and music. Geisha translates to artist or performing artist. The only reason reason so many americans believe geishas are prostitutes is because of the American GIs who came back talking about "Geisha Girls" who were woman who worked as prostitutes during the time. True Geisha's tie tie there Obi, bow of there sash, in the back, while the prostitute's obi is tied in the front due to her line of work.

It's a shame to see the tradition die out, then again, since the time has evolved (look at the pic of a geisha going online :lol: ), maybe they should tweak the rules a little bit (how about having a retirement? Benefits? etc) especially if this is a part of a culture that the Japanese doesn't want to lose.
I've always thought geisha is professional hostesses who are skilled in the art of flower arranging, dancing (traditional, I'm not talking about pole dancing or/and provocative dances), musical instruments, and supposedly very intelligent (according to the Japanese male standard) that they can hold an entertaining and stimulating conversation with the men who seek them out and etc.
As for sex, I never knew of them being paid for sex, although I have read about geishas ending up taking a lover (who's usually part of the men who solicit them) or two or whatever. What I know was it was her decision with whom she wanted to have an 'extra special' relationships with. But let's be honest, these men who become lovers with them, most likely help out financially as well...
Prostitutes in Japan is completely different than a geisha, imho.
PS I've been to Japan, but I've never encountered a geisha (I went there w/ family to visit family so it's not exactly sight-seeing or learning more about them), and I understand that it's an antiquated system now that women are starting to gain equality in such patriarchal society.

It's a shame to see the tradition die out, then again, since the time has evolved (look at the pic of a geisha going online :lol: ), maybe they should tweak the rules a little bit (how about having a retirement? Benefits? etc) especially if this is a part of a culture that the Japanese doesn't want to lose.I've always thought geisha is professional hostesses who are skilled in the art of flower arranging, dancing (traditional, I'm not talking about pole dancing or/and provocative dances), musical instruments, and supposedly very intelligent (according to the Japanese male standard) that they can hold an entertaining and stimulating conversation with the men who seek them out and etc.As for sex, I never knew of them being paid for sex, although I have read about geishas ending up taking a lover (who's usually part of the men who solicit them) or two or whatever. What I know was it was her decision with whom she wanted to have an 'extra special' relationships with. But let's be honest, these men who become lovers with them, most likely help out financially as well...Prostitutes in Japan is completely different than a geisha, imho.PS I've been to Japan, but I've never encountered a geisha (I went there w/ family to visit family so it's not exactly sight-seeing or learning more about them), and I understand that it's an antiquated system now that women are starting to gain equality in such patriarchal society.

I was referring to DCstar's comment "I know that Geisha are always fighting the stereotype of "prostitute,"....
I didn't know it was a stereotype, I always thought that a Geisha was Japan's version of a prostitute.

I was referring to DCstar's comment "I know that Geisha are always fighting the stereotype of "prostitute,"....I didn't know it was a stereotype, I always thought that a Geisha was Japan's version of a prostitute.

I was under the impression that Gieshas were prostitutes, as someone mentioned above. I always knew there was a lot more to it than that, but I didn't realize it wasn't the primary job. Hmmm I'd like to re-think my answer.

Seeing as most people who lambasted the author didn't read the article, the term they used to describe these male geisha is "otoko geisha," and I'm more than a little bothered that people have become experts on saying that there is no such thing as a male geisha. Do you think Times of India made up the term? I don't think so.It is possible for male geisha to exist and for it to be such a small number of men doing this that people in Japan may not have heard of them. And according to the article, geishas started out as men but, over time, men were outnumbered by women in the profession and are now the only gender people think of when they hear the term.Considering that this is a country that had kabuki theater in which all roles (male and female) were played by men, why is this so difficult for people to accept? They aren't saying the men are doing the exact same things as the women who are following the geisha tradition, but so many people got so uptight about this that I had to say something.